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Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah dismissed concerns about lingering effects of their recent whitewash against New Zealand as the team prepares for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Speaking ahead of the series opener on November 22, Bumrah emphasized India’s focus on starting afresh and learning from past experiences.

"Even if you win, you start from 0. If you lose, you start from 0. That's the beauty of cricket. Obviously, when we won the World Cup, it didn't mean we would become complacent in other series. That's how I am looking at. Obviously, we were disappointed and down that we had a tough series last time. But, we are not carrying any baggage. We come with a fresh mindset, and different opposition. And we come to learn from the changes that have happened in the team. We are not carrying any baggage from India. We are trying to be positive and play good cricket," Jasprit Bumrah said ahead of the Test match.

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India, trailing in the World Test Championship standings, need four wins in the series to secure a direct spot in the final. However, the team faces challenges with the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, on paternity leave, and Shubman Gill, who fractured his thumb during training. Bumrah, leading in Sharma's absence, will go head-to-head with Australian captain Pat Cummins, marking the first time in the rivalry’s history that fast bowlers will lead both teams.

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Virat Kohli, central to India’s batting plans, will draw attention throughout the series. Despite a poor run against New Zealand, where he managed only 93 runs in three Tests, Kohli boasts an enviable record in Australia with six centuries to his name. His experience will be critical as India aims to replicate their 2018/19 and 2020/21 triumphs Down Under.

India’s journey to reclaim their standing in the World Test Championship rankings begins Friday in Perth, where they hope to turn their fortunes around with a fresh approach.